Hull City may have had the weekend off due to the international break but there was still plenty going on.

Will Jackson looks at the winners and losers of the international break.

3 Up

Seb Larsson

After being drawn against Italy in the World Cup Qualifying Play-Offs, many predicted Sweden’s campaign to unravel against a side that have qualified for every World Cup since 1958.

However with Larsson in the middle of the park, Janne Andersson’s side pulled off one of the unthinkable by beating the Italians over two legs.

Jakob Johansson gave the Swedes a 1-0 win over the Azzurri in Stockholm on Friday night, and they managed to keep the game scoreless at the San Siro to progress to their first World Cup finals since 2006.

Larsson, who is the vice-captain of the national team, picked up his 96th international cap, which means he will likely become a centurion in Russia.

Evandro

The Brazilian’s luck finally seems to be changing as he was welcomed back into Leonid Slutsky’s first-team fold last week.

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The midfielder had been out injured after picking up a hamstring injury in the Tigers’ pre-season training camp during a friendly game against Bristol Rovers and after several set-backs is yet to play a minute of competitive football this season.

Evandro’s last league appearance for City came in the 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace in May but after playing and scoring in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Bradford City, his Championship debut is now imminent.

Marco Silva

It’s been some year for the Portuguese head coach. Appointed as Mike Phelan’s successor at the KCOM Stadium on January 5, Silva immediately began turning heads beating Manchester United and Liverpool inside his first month in charge.

Hull City lost to Manchester United in the EFL Cup semi-finals last season (Image: Getty)

Despite City’s upturn in fortunes under Silva, though, he was unable to save them from relegation and shortly after he joined Watford.

One loss in his first eight games in charge at Vicarage Road took Watford into the top four of the Premier League, ensuring his stock has risen even more this season, enough to alert Everton.

Yesterday, saw a bid rebuffed for the 40-year-old manager, with Watford standing firm. However, it is believed Silva is keen on the move.

3 Down

Nouha Dicko

With Fraizer Campbell suspended for Saturday’s visit of Ipswich Town, Nouha Dicko was supposed to be the man to step in and fill the sizeable hole left by the 30-year-old.

However, after picking up a knock against Sheffield United the striker was unable to travel and meet up with the Mali squad last week for their dead-rubber qualifying game against Gabon.

As such, there are now question marks over his fitness for Saturday’s game. It is hoped he will be available for selection but Leonid Slutsky may have to settle for Adama Diomande.

David Marshall

The Scottish custodian cannot buy game time at the minute. After picking up an injury in the build-up to the new Championship season, Allan McGregor won the battle for the number one jersey and his continued good form has ensured Marshall is now firmly out of the picture.

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But, after travelling to Aberdeen to meet up with his Scotland team mates ahead of an international friendly against The Netherlands, Marshall found himself warming the bench once more.

Hull City's David Marshall

He was forced to watch on as Craig Gordon played the full 90 minutes at Pittodrie, conceding to a Memphis Depay goal as Malky Mackay’s side lost 1-0.

Sunderland

Two weeks after the sacking of Simon Grayson and Sunderland’s fortunes are yet to turn.

Billy McKinlay and former City defender Robbie Stockdale took charge of Sunderland for a game against their local rivals Middlesbrough, only for a 1-0 loss to send them bottom of the division for the first time this season.

However, after a week and a half, the club are yet to find a new manager meaning McKinlay and Stockdale could well take charge of next Saturday’s game against Millwall at the Stadium of Light, a place they have not won at for eleven months.

Kevin Philips and Peter Reid are the bookies’ favourites for the job, with chief executive Martin Bain hoping to get a manager in sooner rather than later.